What does this mean?

From our point of view it means those who do not attain life and rulership now, in the world, will not live and rule with Christ on earth during the thousand-year period. In no manner are they kings and priests of God.

If it is true that no matter how he lives, every believer will receive the same reward as every other believer, then it is true that the Divine pardon and the prize for Paul's running the race have the same end result.

It follows that it is not truly important, at least in terms of our reward and eternal destiny, whether or not we take up our cross and follow Christ.

It follows also that the rewards to the overcomer, of the second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation, are interesting perhaps, but have no vital relationship to the behavior or faith of the Christian.

If such is the case, then the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, and the author of Jude, are not accurate. Their exhortations and warnings are made of no effect by virtue of the Divine pardon that is pronounced when we recite the four steps of salvation and assent to them.

The Book of Acts does not portray the Apostles of the Lamb preaching any such gospel. The Apostles of Christ never preached or contemplated the Christian beliefs of today. We have overemphasized the doctrine of grace. We have not balanced grace with the need for godly living; and godly living is by far the major theme of the Gospel accounts, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation.

"I will give unto every one of you according to your works," Jesus warned the angel of the church of Thyatira.

"I have not found thy works perfect before God," Jesus advised the "dead" church in Sardis.

Every word of the Scriptures is eternally binding on the conduct of all men, especially the members of the elect. The Scriptures will be standing intact long after the universe as we know it has disappeared from the memory of God's creatures.

Those who live the life of victory in Christ—and only those—will live and reign with Christ throughout the thousand years. Of that we are certain. The non-overcomers, those who do not "win the race," will be raised at the end of the thousand-year period. They will be judged on the basis of the things that were written in the Books, according to their works (Revelation 20:12). Their destinies will be according to the findings of the final judgment.

We will reap that which we have sown while we have pursued the Christian life. The lukewarm believers will be vomited out of the mouth of Christ.

If we are ruling in Christ now we will be assigned to the throne of glory in the Day of the Lord. If we have been found faithful in small tasks we will be given greater responsibilities.

If we have not been found faithful in the small tasks that have been entrusted to us we will be raised to face a stern rebuke (or possibly much worse!) from the Lord Jesus. If this is not true, then the Book of Matthew is not a part of the Word of God.

To be continued.